Performers

Robert Hollingworth introduces the programme:
‘Prepare your tastebuds for an assault on the senses through Renaissance Europe. From France, amuses-bouches both suave and Rabelasian include John Fulljames’ staging of Janequin’s celebrated Le chant des oyseaulx. Cross the Pyrenees for foot-tapping tapas and an actual ensalada (implying a mix of languages and dance steps) with strong Pythonesque overtones. Via the Mediterranean to Italy with a beautiful sweep of works including Willaert’s eulogy to a famous Venetian singer and Striggio’s ode to the ‘leopard’, Queen Elizabeth I. This aural feast ends with a selection from Monteverdi’s finest vintage: 1603 and his incomparable fourth book of madrigals.’